It's just not cricket! MCC produces pictorial guide of how to dress for Lord's Pavilion

It seems standards are slipping among members at Lord’s Cricket Ground as a picture guide of how to dress for games emerged today.

Using staff as models the Marylebone Cricket Club is making it crystal clear to even the most un-fashionsavvy of cricket fans coming to The Home of Cricket in St John's Wood, North London, what is acceptable.

The guide comes in the wake of members' complaints that the dress code was not begin upheld and that some - especially the newly allowed female members - were attired 'fit for a vigorous weeding session on the herbaceous border,' as one member put it.

Acceptable: This is the approved dress code for the Pavillion for Match Days, which includes tailored jacket and tie/cravat for men and for women dresses; or skirts or trousers (which may be cropped below the knee)

Unacceptable: The picture shows what not to wear in the Pavilion during a match day. Jeans, bare midriffs, leggings without a skirt or a dress are all prohibited

The guide shows how to dress in the Pavilion and Members' Friends' Enclosures.

The pamphlet echoes last month’s attempt by Royal Ascot where the race course sent out 100,000 style guides to ticket holders of the June event.

The Lord’s rules on clothing and behaviour are stricter than any other ground in the world. The Pavilion and Long Room dress code is explained in the MCC rules:

‘Whilst in the Pavilion, gentlemen shall wear ties and tailored coats and acceptable trousers with appropriate shoes. Zip up golf-style jackets are not permitted. ‘

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The rules are strict and unless attired properly members are sent packing: ‘Gentlemen will not be admitted to the Pavilion, including the Pavilion concourse, unless, on entrance, their dress conforms to this Regulation. However, coats and ties may be removed on the Pavilion Concourse, and outside balconies,’

For ladies it is ‘dresses; or skirts or trousers worn with blouses, and appropriate shoes. Dresses and blouses may be sleeveless,’ and in no way, shape or form are ‘jeans and their close relations; leggings; jodhpur-style trousers; t-shirts; track suits; training shoes; plimsolls; flip flop shoes; denim clothing and overalls,’ permitted.

The Pavilion has always had high standards when it comes to members dress code for match days, adhering to the 225-year history of the Marylebone Cricket Club

DRESSING FOR BRITAIN'S MOST SOUGHT-AFTER CRICKET SEATS

The Pavilion at Lord’s, also known as ‘the Home of Cricket’, has a long withstanding high reputation and asks members to dress accordingly.

Male members of MCC are asked to wear lounge suits or tailored jacket and trousers, shirt, tie or cravat and shoes with socks to get admittance to the finest seats in the grounds.

Gentlemen wearing T-shirts, shorts, sandals and other casual attire are turned away and will have to enjoy the game elsewhere.

The rules for ladies as not quite as strict but women must still adhere to a dress code.

Dresses and tops can be sleeveless but skirts and trousers should be of proper length and cut below the knee.

If a lady wishes to wear leggings she must wear a skirt or a dress over them. Sports shoes, bare midriffs and strapless tops/dresses are not allowed.

At all times must denim be avoided for both sexes as well as bare feet, bare torsos and any ‘dilapidated or offensive garments’.

Neil Priscott, MCC media manager said: ‘We got the inspiration for the pictures from our sister club, Melbourne Cricket Club, and they did it to simplify and to avoid confusion.’

He stressed that these are not new rules but something which has long been in place in the 225- year old club but has been done to make it clear what is what in terms of dress code.

‘There are regulations in place and certain standards on certain parts of the ground and that has always been the case. A majority of our members do embrace the dress regulations.’

Although some, such as former England
captain Mike Brearley, have argued that the dress code is too strict,
voices have been raised as to why there is even a need for the
guidelines.

MailOnline spoke to a member of MCC
who wish to remain anonymous who said that the fact that the guide even
needed to be sent out was 'ridiculous'.

‘You should know how to dress properly for the pavilion if you are a member.

‘Standards should be kept as it is such a prestigious and historical club. The same way that there is a dress code for Ascot, there is one at Lord’s.'

In the Members' Friends' Enclosures the
dress code is a bit more relaxed. Gents may wear casual trousers or
tailored shorts and does not need to wear a jacked, although t-shirts
are still a no-no.

For those not ready to don a blazer and tie, the dress code in other spectator areas of the grounds are less strict.

The
Ground regulations which can be found on Lord’s website carries a list
of prohibited articles described as things which ‘may constitute an
annoyance to spectators’. These things include fireworks, musical
instruments, fancy dress and banners.

Relaxed: Dress code in the Members' Friends Enclosures is more casual although tracksuits and denim is still forbidden as well as anything in military camouflage colours

The picture, taken from the Marylebone Cricket Club dress code guide, shows what should not be worn in the Members' Friends' Enclosures

Mr Priscott said that they have
received a lot of support from their members: ‘As soon as you enter the
Pavilion and the Long Room you will pick up the rich history and
tradition and will not have any issues with the dress code.’

When
questioned about whether this excludes members who wish to enjoy the
sport in a more casual dress code Mr Priscott said that the intention
was not to isolate anyone.

‘There are regulations in place and certain standards on certain areas of the ground and that has always been the case. ‘

‘The pictures have been sent out to explain how to dress in certain members stands at Lord's.‘

The dress code applies in the Pavilion and Members' Friends' Enclosures. If member wishes to dress more casually they must sit on general admission stands